Monday, August 26, 2013

Today's Special - - Anna Campbell

She's back! It's always a pleasure to have Anna hanging out with us here at The Romance Dish. Usually, she drops by to talk about someone else's book but today we're spotlighting Anna's newest historical romance, A Rake's Midnight Kiss. It's the second book in her Sons of Sin series and it's awesome!

5 Unexpected Facts Behind A RAKE’S MIDNIGHT KISS!

Hi PJ! Hi Andrea! Thanks for having me as your guest to talk
about my new Grand Central Forever release, A RAKE’S MIDNIGHT KISS, which is
out in North America tomorrow.

Goodness me, I feel like I only just stepped out of the stylish
Romance Dish premises and here I am back again for another delicious visit! For those who don't know, on the 24 th of every month, I review a classic
romance or a more recent one that perhaps slipped under the radar. Check out my
review of new Harlequin SuperRomance author Jennifer Lohmann’s books from last Saturday. (click here for Anna's review)

Today I thought it might be fun to give you five random factoids
that contributed to writing book 2 of my Sons of Sin series. This story is
lighter than usual – I think of it as a sorbet to freshen the palate between
the big roast dinners of SEVEN NIGHTS IN A ROGUE’S BED and Cam’s story which
I’m currently writing.

So here go the 5 fun facts:

With Rake, I took a leaf
out of the book of one of the greatest directors ever, Alfred Hitchcock.
As anyone familiar with his films knows, many of his plots center on a
THING that everyone wants. It doesn’t much matter what it is, whether it’s
a reel of microfilm or a rare jewel or a dead body or a secret message.
But the THING needs to get the characters excited and interacting and
chasing madly after it. It creates the stakes in the story. Hitchcock called
it a MacGuffin. There’s an extensive article about the term in Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MacGuffin
Including an explanation of the name’s origin that is so bizarre it just
has to be true! In A RAKE’S MIDNIGHT KISS, the THING everyone wants is the
Harmsworth Jewel.

I’ve nursed the idea of using
something like the Harmsworth Jewel in a story for a few years. I’m a
devotee of BBC history and culture programs, and I remember seeing the
Alfred Jewel, an ancient and very beautiful gold and enamel book pointer
currently in the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford, in THE SEVEN AGES OF BRITAIN.
If you picture the Alfred Jewel when you read about the Harmsworth Jewel,
you’ve got the right idea. Again, I turn to my good friends at Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alfred_Jewel

Scholarly Genevieve’s
academic pursuits and eventual fame were inspired by a real Regency woman.
Mary Somerville was a remarkable popularizer of the Regency scientific revolution.
One of her books stayed in print for over 40 years until 1877! Somerville
College in Oxford is named after her – ironic given at the time it as
founded, women weren’t admitted! If you’d like to find out more about this
Regency prodigy, turn again to my friends at Wikipedia: http://www.regrom.com/2012/10/29/regency-women-of-character-mary-somerville

When I came up with the
idea for Rake, I wanted to write about a man who becomes a hero in spite
of himself. I pictured someone golden and spectacularly handsome who hides
his inner turmoil behind an elegant manner and a nonchalant wit. The
Scarlet Pimpernel immediately sprang to mind (although Sir Percy is pretty
heroic all the way through!) so if you want to know what Richard looks
like, check out gorgeous Anthony Andrews in the 1980s telemovie.

Let’s go full circle and
return to Alfred Hitchcock. Another inspiration for A RAKE’S MIDNIGHT KISS
is the sexy and fun thriller from 1955, TO CATCH A THIEF. That stars
another spectacularly handsome man, Cary Grant, and a young Grace Kelly sporting
a breathtaking wardrobe. For Genevieve Barrett, the heroine of A RAKE’S
MIDNIGHT KISS, I wanted that quality of outer coolness over a volcano of
sensuality. Like GK’s character in TCAT, Genevieve isn’t nearly the naïve
ingénue the hero expects to run rings around. In fact, the person with
most of the answers in both Rake and TCAT is the heroine! Love that
dynamic when Mr. Cool finds himself all at sea with a woman who’s smart
enough to guess his game.

So in honor of Alfred and Grace and Cary (and Anthony!),
let’s talk old-time movies. Do you have a favorite actress from the Golden
Years of Hollywood? I must admit to a penchant for Audrey Hepburn. I think she
was just magic on the screen. Are you a Hitchcock fan? What’s your favorite of
his films? Grand Central is offering a copy of A RAKE'S MIDNIGHT KISS to one randomly chosen person leaving a comment on today's blog and, as a bonus, they will also include a copy of THE KNIGHT'S TEMPTRESS by Amanda Scott. (Open to U.S., Canadian and Australian addresses only. Please indicate in your comment if you live in one of these countries.)

IT TAKES A LADY

Brilliant scholar Genevieve Barrett's secret identity as the author of her father's articles is her greatest deception-until her father's handsome new student arrives on their doorstep. Genevieve recognizes him as the masked intruder who earlier tried to steal a priceless gem from their home. Keeping the seductive stranger's identity hidden is a risk, but she's got secrets of her own to keep.

TO CATCH A THIEF

Sir Richard Harmsworth fakes a rakish facade to show society that he doesn't care about his bastard status. Yet haunted by his unknown father's identity, Richard believes the Harmsworth Jewel will prove he's the rightful heir. Intent on seducing the stone away from its owner, Richard finds himself face-to-face with a beauty more breathtaking than any jewel. But even as she steals Richard's heart, Genevieve will be in greater danger than her coveted treasure . . .

93 comments:

Hi Anna,*waving madly* Congrats on the new release. I really like Carole Lombard(love her screwball comedies) and Rita Hayworth. I do like many of Hitchcock's movies, especially Dial M for Murder and The Lady Vanishes.

Hey, Jane, thanks for the birthday wishes. Had a great day! Oh, I LOVE The Lady Vanishes. Love the love story in that - they're bickering away and you know they're just made for each other. And he's a bit of a slacker who ends up being a hero in the end - hmm, perhaps he was my model for Richard rather than Cary. I'll have to think further. Love Carole L and Rita H - and weren't they gorgeous as well as such wonderful comediennes?

Ha ha, hello back from Australia. How nice that the locals are in on the draw for this one! Good luck. Katharine Hepburn was great too. Actually I really liked Ingrid Bergman too. She was so beautiful. The Birds is seriously scary - I agree with you. Whenever I see a line of crows on a wire, I start getting a bit nervous!

Happy Birthday Anna.. Best wishes and congrats on the new release.. My fav stars of the golden years were Audrey Hepburn and Grace Kelly. Favorite Hitchcock movie was of course The Birds.. I'm in the USA

Hi AnnaCongratulations on the release of A RAKE'S MIDNIGHT KISS. I have loved all your previous books and am really looking forward to reading this one! Your description has totally whetted my appetite.I love Audrey Hepburn, too, she was so elegant and so intelligent. Even as an old lady she was beautiful. Roman Holiday is one of my all-time favorite movies.Movies of Alfred Hitchcock? My very favorite out of many favorites is Rebecca. I could watch it over and over!

Kandy, thanks for saying such nice things about the books. This one is a bit funnier than the previous ones! I think Audrey Hepburn had a really beautiful soul and you could see that in her face as she aged. How interesting to pick Rebecca! I've got to say I never take to Joan Fontaine. Something about her eyebrows!

Anna, I love North By North West and To Catch a Thief. Hm, perhaps it's Cary G I've got a soft spot for.

Congratulations on the release of 'A Rake's Midnight Kiss', Anna, it's a book to savour in a quiet corner without interruption! Be warned readers. You need time to enjoy this one - it's a lovely treat.

Annie, thank you for saying such nice things about Rake! So glad you liked it. Laughing at you going for Cary! As you know, he was one of my mum's favorite actors. Interestingly enough, her other faves were Laurence Olivier and Robert Donat both of whom also worked with Hitchcock!

Hi AnnaJenny from Australia. I loved Audrey Hepburn in My Fair Lady. She had such class. Hubby thinks I have the same eyes. Sweet, isn't he.I loved all of Hitchcock's movies, but the Birds remains in my mind to this day. Whenever I see birds lining up on the electricity lines, I go back to when I was younger, sitting on the couch, being scared witless by the movie.I too loved Cary Grant. Just loved his voice and he wasn't hard on the eyes either. Another Actor I liked was Jimmy Stewart.Congratulations on the release over in North America. One of these days the NYT has to pick you up.We can only hope.

Jenny, lovely to see you. Thanks for swinging by! Wow, a husband who thinks you have AH's eyes? He's a keeper! I agree with you about birds lined up on the wires - still makes me nervous! Jimmy Stewart was wonderful, wasn't he? He and Cary had such class - in a different way, but equally wonderful. Hey, I've LOVE the NYT to pick me up! ;-)

Sharon, so glad you enjoyed the five fun facts. Isn't the AJ amazing? It's so strange and yet so beautiful. Hey, thank you so much for saying you enjoyed Rake! A few more jokes than usual! I've never seen Wait Until Dark. I must get hold of it. Love GK's wardrobe in Rear Window!

Hi Anna! Love the old movies and love your new book! I'm out of town and won't be available to respond to comments today so let me welcome you and everyone who pops in to say hello. Great to have you here!

Hi Anna,oh it is your birthday, gee, you look no older than 29 ~wink, wink~. Happy birthday to you and have a wonderful day.

I so love your historical romance and after the 7nights I can't wait to get my fingers on this one.

I don't really have a favourite actress from that time but I do enjoy watching "To catch a thief" once in a while. I loved Cary Grant and his movies. Hitchcock was more a hit and miss with me and I think I had to reach a certain age to enjoy his movies.

Nowadays I prefer more to read books. Looking forward to read your book.

Happy, happy book birthday, Anna! May your Rake rake in the sales for you.

I'm a massive Audrey Hepburn fan, as you know. I'm drinking out of the Audrey mug you gave me as we speak! 'Dial M for Murder' is my favourite Hitchcock film. In London recently, I saw Hitchcock's '39 Steps' - fantastic physical comedy.

Vanessa, the film of 39 Steps has this wonderful black humour along with the suspense. It's one of my favourites. Robert Donat was a great actor. Such a pity ill health (he was an asthmatic) cut his life so short. Interesting about Dial M for Murder. I like it, but it's not my fave - suppose it's not quite romantic enough for me. I always liked Ray Milland. I didn't want him to be a murderer! Thanks for the congrats - hope you enjoy Rake!

Hi Anna, Well, I have a few actresses from the old movies that I loved to watch. I loved Grace Kelly, Rita Hayworth, and of course, Audrey Hepburn. Three great and wonderful ladies, who will be forever remembered. I also have to go to the male side and pitch my crush on that very handsome and debonair Cary Grant, and I also mustn't forget Clark Gable. *swoon*"A Rake's Midnight Kiss" is "the kiss" that I want to read about. Kudos to the art department who have produced such a beautiful cover.

Laurie, in a way, I think it's a pity that people know so much about stuff these days before they see it. I was a late teenager before I saw Psycho and I had no idea of the plot. Although even in those pre-internet days I knew there was a shower scene. Really shocked me when Janet Leigh, the heroine, or so I thought, gets killed halfway through. Talk about upping the stakes. If the heroine can die, anyone can! And I had no idea of the denouement. Creepy! Great music in Psycho. Loved Barbara Stanwyck! She was great in comedy too. I think the only thing I've seen Donna Reed in is It's a Wonderful Life - and I vaguely remember her TV show from when I was VERY small. Oh, dear, I'm spoiling my claim to be 29, aren't I? ;-)

I've always love Maureen O'Hara (& not just because she was a fellow redhead) ;) & Ginger Rogers (I always wanted to dance like her). To Catch a Thief may well be my fave Hitchcock film (Cary Grant aged well) :)

Gamistress, Cary G DID indeed age well. I recently caught Walk, Don't Run his last film on cable here. It was generally panned at the time although I've always liked it - George Takei who is so hilarious on FB plays a small part as a Japanese consular official. But Cary is still looking FABULOUS! My dad loved Maureen O'Hara. I think she had such strength and character in her performances - loved her epic battles with her heroes! Ginger Rogers is great. Love that line about her doing everything Fred did but backwards and in high heels!

May, I LOVE The Lady Eve. She's so clever (too clever to allow herself to fall in love, although she does - a little like my heroine Genevieve, now I come to think about it!). That scene where she trips poor hapless Henry is hilarious! Oh, great that you're a TCAT fan! He and GK are so great together. The sexual tension just sizzles!

A belated Happy Birthday to you from South Australia :-)I love reading background information on how books came to be - Anthony Andrews was rather dashing in The Scarlet Pimpernel! My favourite old time movie is the eternally wonderful To Kill A Mockingbird - Gregory Peck was gorgeous and highly talented.A fun fact about me - I have never watched a Hitchcock film ;-)

Hi Lucy! Goodness, you're almost a local to me! ;-) Thanks for the birthday wishes. I had a lovely time turning 29 - again. I love that version of the Scarlet Pimpernel - he's so romantic and dashing! Oh, love To Kill a Mockingbird, right from the opening credits with the music. Great choice. And you need to watch a Hitchcock film. I love Notorious and Spellbound - both are really romantic!

I can't wait to read A Rake's Midnight Kiss, Anna. I pre-ordered it so it should be on my Kindle shortly after midnight.

Audrey Hepburn was wonderful, but Katharine Hepburn is my favorite. I loved her in nearly all her roles from Jo in Little Women to Ethel Thayer in On Golden Pond. The Philadelphia Story is my favorite with Desk Set a close second. I also love Claudette Colbert especially in It Happened One Night. I'm not a big fan of thrillers, so perhaps it's not surprising that my favorite Hitchcock movie is The Trouble with Harry.

Janga, isn't The Trouble with Harry funny? And those colours have given me a lifelong desire to visit New England in autumn! Gorgeous cinematography! Interesting about Kate Hepburn being your favourite. I love the Philadelphia Story! Jimmy Stewart is genuinely sexy in it!

Loved your post today, Anna! When I was in jr. high and high school, the local public t.v. station would show movies from the 40's and 50's, mainly musicals. I loved those movies and still do today. I think some of the most elegant and graceful movie stars from that era are Grace Kelly (definitely poised and gorgeous), Betty Grable (and those million-dollar-insured-legs), Carmen Miranda (even with her wacky sense of style and flair), Maureen O'Hara (she just was a beautiful woman, even in her 80s, and I always had the impression she was just a nice person), Olivia de Haviland (sweet and pretty), and several more I could name. I think there are even elegant singers, too, that could be on the list such as Doris Day and Dinah Shore.

Deb, I was madly in love with old movies when I was a kid. Used to spend Saturday and Sunday afternoons glued to something black and white and romantic. Like you, I love musicals! Love Singin' in the Rain and Gigi! Great list of stars of yesteryear. I think you're right about the singers too - I always thought Lena Horne was fabulously beautiful too and she had a voice like honey.

Kathleen, it's hard to go past Cary, isn't it? I think he's just so great! Love An Affair to Remember! He was so suave and charming in that, but also there was a depth to his performance and it's just so darn romantic!

I use to watch the old movies all the time but I seem to have gotten away from it - that needs to be fixed lol. I have to pick Audrey Hepburn too. My Fair Lady and Breakfast at Tiffany's and Wait Until Dark are some favorites. And for Hitchcock - Psycho, Rear Window and Dial M for Murder. The Birds didn't scare me for some reason lol. And have to say I have enjoyed all your books that I've read so far. I'm sure this is another great one!!

Thanks so much for saying you like the stories, Catslady! Great list of films. I must say I think Audrey was just exquisitely beautiful and a really fine actress. I think the first film I saw of hers was Sabrina which I loved as a kid but Breakfast at Tiffany's would have to be right up there for me. Love Roman Holiday and How to Steal a Million. In fact, I think that might actually be my favourite Audrey film. And I had such a crush on Peter O'Toole in that. Those amazing blue eyes!

Happy Birthday, Anna. I enjoy watching classic movies and Bette Davis and Olivia de Havilland were terrific actresses. I like the story behind Hitchcock's movie, Marnie. Originally, he wanted Grace Kelly for the part. However, the subject matter was deemed unbecoming a princess, so she passed on the role.

Kim, how interesting about Marnie! I had no idea. I've actually got the book - it's an English novel by Winston Graham who wrote the Poldark series. Years since I read it, should dig it out again. Glad you're another classic movie fan. And thanks for the birthday wishes!

Mstlcmn, I had to laugh. My mother was a woman of very strong opinions - she LOVED Cary Grant, for example - but she couldn't stand Grace Kelly. Every time someone here says they love GK, I can hear my mother on the other should exclaiming what a cold fish she was! Funny how we have such strong likes and dislikes for people who are strangers, isn't it? ;-) Thanks for the birthday wishes! Hope you enjoy Rake!

I missed your birthday!?! Happy Birthday, Anna - hope it was wonderful and filled with joy, laughter and lots of love.Congrats on A RAKE'S MIDNIGHT KISS! I love classic movies. I just watched IT HAPPENED ONE NIGHT with Clark Gable and Claudette Colbert last night. I love that movie. It still makes me laugh and the innuendos never age. I have lots of favorites, and I agree with your choice of Audrey Hepburn and Grace Kelly but Myrna Loy was the woman I wanted to grow up to be. She was tall, elegant, and had a tough edge to her that made me wish to be like her. One of my favorites was when she starred with Cary Grant and Shirley Temple in THE BACHELOR AND THE BOBBYSOXER. I still love asking - Whose got the power? :-)

Thanks so much for the birthday wishes, Amy. Had a great day! Oh, you mentioned one of my favourite movies but hardly anyone has seen it. Do you remember Cary done out as a knight in shining armour? That was just so gorgeous! Did you know Sidney Sheldon wrote the screenplay for that? I think he won an Oscar for it - and well deserved, it's SOOOO witty! And very romantic too - love the bit where he's trying to tell her how he feels and she's so busy being cool, she just misses it. Sigh!

Yes, he was blinding in his Knight in Shining Armor! I got such a kick out of that. Myrna Loy was awesome in that movie. Yes, I did know that Sidney Sheldon wrote the screenplay. He was a true talent. Even when I was a kid, I was a credits reader. I love movie trivia and knowing who wrote what and who directed what was part of the fun. Frank Capra directed IT HAPPENED ONE NIGHT. He was an academy award winner even then. :-)

I wish there was a way to get the roundabout going - You remind me of the man. What man? The man with the power. What power? The power of hoodoo. Who do. You do. Do what? Remind me of the man. What man? The man with the power. What power? - etc. etc. LOL!

Two of my favorite actresses I haven't seen mentioned are Rosalind Russell and Jean Arthur. Rosalind Russell was terrific in HIS GIRL FRIDAY had Cary Grant in it as well. And her AUNTIE MAME made me want her for my Aunt. Jean Arthur was in a lot of zany comedies and some good dramas as well (MR SMITH GOES TO WASHINGTON).

Hi Laura! Thanks for swinging by and saying you're looking forward to Rake! Not long now!

Oh, Rosalind Russell and Jean Arthur. They both came across as so smart, didn't they? I loved Jean Arthur - she was in some really classic films, including the original that Walk, Don't Run was based on (forgotten the name but the man was Joe McCrea, I think) about the housing shortage in Washington during the war. Gorgeous romantic comedy!

Hello Anna! I'm thrilled as well to say hello to your newest release. That's the mark of an excellent author you know, when readers wait in line and with bated breath for your next book. :-) And I, too, love that your heroine is smart and feisty, yet vulnerable, and that the hero underestimates her. Talk about broadside salvos--ha! It is wonderful you give one lucky reader a copy of your book and the added bonus of Amanda Scott's second book in her Lairds of the Loch series. Love her Scots stories! Have fun on your release tour...you deserve the very best. jdh2690@gmail.com

Hi Janice! Thanks so much for swinging by. I've got to say the bonus book is an excellent addition to the prize pool! Just starting on the release tour - blogging all over the universe for the next week or so. Looking forward to my stint on the Venusian e-news blog! ;-) And I hear the guys on Alpha Centauri get a really good crowd of commenters in!

A couple of my favorites is the ever versitle Audrey Hepburn And Grace Kelly. I like most of the original Hitchcock films, The Birds, Rear Window, Rebecca, and Pbysco. I also thought the most is decently released portraying Hitchcock, such as The Girl and Hitchcock was good and very interesting.

Also have a HAPPY BIRTHDAY! YOU are one of my favorite authors and I am waiting anxiously to read your new release.

Hi Rhonda! Thanks for swinging by and saying such nice things. I hope you enjoy Rake! Only a few hours until it's out. I'm looking forward to catching up with the Hitchcock film which featured Anthony Hopkins and Helen Mirren. Sounds really interesting!

Congrats on the new release Anna! I liked Alfred Hitchcock, but my very favorite old film was The Quiet Man with John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara. She's one of my favorite actresses of all time, along with Kathryn Hepburn.I'm in the US. :D

Thank you, PJ and Andrea, for having me as your guest today! Fun to be on the other side of the equation here! And thanks to everyone who called by. I really enjoyed our discussion of old time romance!

Thanks so much, Ada! Not a fan of old movies! Oh, we'll have to send you to the film vault and torture you with Cary Grant movies until you relent! Bwahahahahaha! So glad you love the sound of the book and thanks for the happy birthday. One 'awesome' gets you a pass on the fiendish Cary Grant torture! ;-)

I am in LOVE with Audrey Hepburn-- and old movies in general. My nana got me hooked on them. At first I was like, ehhh, black and white. Now I'm like, yea! Black and white! I could watch How to Steal a Million all day, every day and never grow board.

Chelsea, how fabulous that you're another How to Steal a Million fan. I have to say I wanted the flavor of the dialogue between Peter O'Toole and Audrey H for Rake - that prickly back and forth that hides two people who are crazy about one another, much as they wish they weren't!

Hi Anna! Hi PJ and Andrea, lovely to see you all together today! I know I'm late but I just wanted to pop in and say what an absolute delight RAKE was! I love Hitchcock, he's such a master storyteller, much like Ms. Campbell! Fascinating about the Jewel! What an extraordinary piece.

As for actors, Hepburn (Audrey, of course!) and Cary Grant are definitely my favourites!

Ooh, I love being coupled with Mr. Hitchcock (not in the biblical sense, mind you!). Thank you, Christina! What a lovely thing to say. So glad you enjoyed Rake. I hoped you'd like the jokes! Cary and Audrey really are such individual performers, aren't they? There's nobody like them!

Hello Anna! I've heard your work described as "weaving a spell." I think that's pretty apt. Your words weave the banter and dialogue into a scintillating story like the Scots plaids are woven...and make beautiful romances! Swoon-worthy. :-) And no, I've never been a Hitchcock fan. A lot of his stories gave me chills. Not romantic either. As far as old-time actresses go, I adored Maureen O'Hara. jdh2690@gmail.com

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